Dear Members of the Korea Photovoltaic Society,

As we welcome the New Year 2026—a year of hope and new challenges—I extend my warmest wishes for your good health and continued success. I would like to express my deepest appreciation to all members for your dedication and contributions to the advancement of photovoltaic science and industry over the past years. It is both a great honor and a profound responsibility for me to serve as the 13th President of the Korea Photovoltaic Society in this important year.

The year 2026 will be particularly meaningful for our Society and for the photovoltaic community in Korea. From November 15 to 20, 2026, the 9th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion (WCPEC-9) will be held in Daejeon, Korea. WCPEC is the world’s most prestigious international conference in the field of photovoltaics, and hosting WCPEC-9 in Korea represents a symbolic milestone that reflects our nation’s growing leadership and global standing in photovoltaic science, technology, and research.

The Korea Photovoltaic Society is making every effort to ensure the successful organization of WCPEC-9 by enhancing the scientific/industrial excellence of the technical program and by creating a dynamic platform for active exchange among academia, industry, research institutes, and the global scientific community. In particular, we will strongly support the international visibility of leading research achievements by Korean researchers in key photovoltaic areas, including crystalline silicon solar cells, perovskite and thin-film solar cells, tandem photovoltaics, high-efficiency and high-reliability devices and modules, as well as PV systems and power generation technologies.

WCPEC-9 will be more than an international conference; it is expected to serve as a critical turning point that elevates the international stature and academic and industrial influence of our Society and its members. Through keynote lectures, leadership in major technical sessions, and in-depth interactions with world-renowned scholars, Korean researchers will have a valuable opportunity to demonstrate the depth, creativity, and strength of Korea’s photovoltaic research to the global community.

At the same time, our Society will further strengthen its role as a core platform connecting science and industry, technology and policy in an increasingly complex global energy landscape. To address multifaceted challenges such as carbon neutrality, intensifying technological competition, and global supply chain restructuring, we will continue to build pathways through which academic achievements can translate into industrial competitiveness and policy innovation.

In 2026, as President of the Society, I will focus on the following priorities:
First, the continuous expansion of global networks centered on WCPEC-9;
Second, strengthening the linkage between demonstration and commercialization of next-generation photovoltaic technologies to enhance national competitiveness;
Third, supporting young researchers and the next generation of talents in their advancement onto the international stage.

Photovoltaics is a key technology that simultaneously addresses climate change mitigation and energy security, and its progress depends on the unwavering commitment and collaboration of our members. Building upon the successful hosting of WCPEC-9, Korea Photovoltaic Society will continue to play a central role in guiding Korea’s photovoltaic community toward a sustainable future with global leadership.

I sincerely ask for your continued interest and active participation, and I wish that the year 2026 will be a year of new breakthroughs and meaningful achievements for all of you.

Thank you.

January 1, 2026
Min Jae Ko
13th President of Korea Photovoltaic Society